USC launches investigation into Josh Shaw's drowning nephew story

While it sounds like a story of selfless sacrifice from a college athlete, the cause of University of Southern California defensive back Josh Shaw’s injury is being investigated by the school. Shaw had claimed that he injured his ankles while saving a nephew from drowning.

As we previously reported, Shaw did an interview with the school’s athletic site and claimed that he jumped from a balcony to save a 7-year-old nephew who was struggling in a pool. He landed feet-first on the concrete, sprained both ankles, but still saved his nephew.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian initially said that he was not surprised by Shaw’s selfless act.

“That was a heroic act by Josh, putting his personal safety aside. But that’s the kind of person he is,” he told USC.

However, USA Today is reporting that USC is vetting the story. Sarkisian said on Tuesday that he has received calls that suggest that Shaw’s story might not be completely true. During a teleconference, he said that there was no reason not to believe Shaw, but the school must do its “due diligence” to check it out.

“Now, we did receive some calls that question the validity of his story. We're vetting,” Sarkisian told the media.

Shaw will be out indefinitely and was diagnosed with high ankle sprains.